# OSI Layer 2: The Data Link Layer The data link layer deals with sending fixed-length frames between two directly connected nodes using Medium Access Control (MAC) addresses, which do not change from network to network or over time, and are not dynamically assigned but fixed to a particular node (they are baked-in).[^1] The data link layer is responsible for correcting errors that might occur on the physical layer, and for managing flow control between connected nodes. ^tebl0w [^1]: With exceptions for security reasons. ![[OSI Model - Wikipedia#^emwq4v]] It can be said that [[Switch|switches]] live on the data link layer, as they use MAC addresses to divert traffic to specific hosts only. ## Comparison to the Internet Protocol Suite's Link Layer Note that although the two are often compared, the OSI Data Link Layer is distinct from [[Link Layer|Internet protocol suite's link layer]]. Any comparisons between the two should be discouraged: ![[Link Layer - Wikipedia#^nf0r8i]] ^svpzvb